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Goran return calms war crimes fury

Ivanisevic acknowledges the crowd in Split in one of the biggest celebrations Croatia has ever seen
Ivanisevic acknowledges the crowd in Split in one of the biggest celebrations Croatia has ever seen  


SPLIT, Croatia -- Anger in Croatia over the promised extradition of war crimes suspects has been soothed -- at least momentarily -- by a wild welcome for returning Wimbledon tennis champion Goran Ivanisevic.

Ivanisevic, who on Monday became the first Croat to win the prestigious London tournament, appeared on a stage in the Adriatic coastal city of Split to accept the adulation of tens of thousands of fans who had gathered on the waterfront.

CNN's Chris Burns said there was a euphoric atmosphere with fireworks and pop bands playing as the 29-year-old was honoured by the crowds.

"This is the best day in my life, this is going to be the best night of my life," an elated Ivanisevic told a television interviewer, Reuters reported.

"Goran, we love you!" shouted the crowd, cheering and crying with joy. One banner said, "You're a genius" -- another said Ivanisevic should be president, The Associated Press said.

Many of those celebrating in Split seemed grateful for the chance to redirect their patriotic fervour from fury over the indictment of Croat war crimes suspects to joy for a homegrown hero.

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"Never mind about war crimes and indictments and suspects -- let's concentrate on Goran," Zdravko Hodic, 68, told AP.

As Ivanisevic stepped onto a stage, the crowd exploded in a cheer for his cliffhanger, five-set victory over Australian Patrick Rafter on Monday.

The tournament was his 48th major event, the most ever for a first-time Grand Slam champion, and the victory made him the first wild card to win a major men's title.

"I prayed to God to give me another chance. I prayed and cried so much that even He had mercy on me and He gave me this chance," Ivanisevic told the crowd.

"Without you, I could never have done it," he said. The lanky 29-year-old raised his hands and blew kisses to the crowd.

"I don't know what to say," Ivanisevic began. "This is unforgettable. I have been everywhere, but this is amazing. We are the craziest people in the world!"

Croatia's favourite son took off his jeans and threw them into the crowd, followed by his shoes, a scarf and finally the T-shirt, leaving him standing for a moment in nothing but his underpants.

The exuberance of the crowd -- estimated at about 200,000 -- was a stark contrast from the last time Split had so many people on its streets. About 100,000 people gathered here in February to protest against the decision to prosecute a Croat general for war crimes.

Split
Toni Kukoc, left, of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team, congratulates Ivanisevic after his arrival in Split, Croatia  

Ivanisevic returned to a country cast into turmoil by another government pledge -- this time to arrest and extradite suspects indicted by the United Nations war crimes court in The Hague, Netherlands.

Many Croats consider the men who fought against Serb rebels in the war that broke out after Croatia split from Yugoslavia in 1991 to be heroes, and few are prepared to accept that some might be guilty of atrocities.

The decision to comply with the extradition demands threatened to bring down the government and brought warnings of resistance by nationalist leaders. But Ivanisevic's victory moved some emotions towards celebration.

Nearly every newspaper showed a triumphant Ivanisevic on their covers on Tuesday. In Split, domestic rock, pop and folk music stars pumped up the atmosphere as the crowd gathered before Ivanisevic's plane touched down.

Prime Minister Ivica Racan, who has emphasised that Croatia must comply with the U.N. court, clearly hoped the outpouring of national pride over the tennis star's triumph would blunt the forces opposed to the extraditions.

"Let us take a leaf out of Goran's book," AP quoted Racan as saying after Ivanisevic's victory. "His determination and willpower to persist against all odds and under extreme pressure, should be a source of pride and a lesson to us all."

Ivanisevic crosses himself after getting through the semis
Ivanisevic crosses himself after getting through the semis  

Ivanisevic, who was rated 125th before Wimbledon started, powered his way into the final where he made his fourth attempt to win the title.

His explosive character makes him a colourful player on the tennis circuit. He says of himself that he has three characters -- 'Nice Goran,' 'Crazy Goran,' and '911 Goran' -- who is strictly for emergencies only.

Although the multi-millionaire now lives in Monte Carlo he remains passionate about his Croatian roots -- carrying the flag for Croatia at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.






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RELATED SITES:
• Official Wimbledon Web Site
• Croats in the UK
• The Official Ivanisevic Web Site

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